NBA Fines Grizzlies’ Tony Allen $5k For Flopping in Game 2

The San Antonio Spurs have dominated the Western Conference Finals thus far taking a two-game lead in the series after wiping the floor with the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 and pulling out a close win in Game 2. The Grizzlies proved to be a force to be reckoned with in Game 2 and seemed to begin to figure out the Spurs much the way they did against the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in the previous two rounds.

Although the Grizzlies may have worked their way back into this series with a solid effort in Game 2 resulting in the team forcing overtime at the AT&T Center, Memphis didn’t put up the solid effort without a fair share of criticism and some controversy.

In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter against the Spurs, defensive stopper Tony Allen helped cause a turnover leading to a flagrant foul from Manu Ginobili on a layup attempt by Allen. Ginobili grabbed Allen’s arm as he was making his way to the basket and as a result pulled him to the ground.

Even though the replay indicated no contact between Allen’s head and the ground, the All-NBA Defensive First Team veteran grabbed his head and began rolling around in apparent severe pain. Although the replay indicated no reason for the pain, the refs were tricked into making the call, but the NBA took noticed of the obvious flop and fined Allen $5,000 for his flop.

Heading into Game 3, the Spurs will likely be favored in Las Vegas odds once again with San Antonio seemingly the better all-around team in this series thus far. Allen was not suspended for the flop, but will be on watch for the rest of the series and NBA Finals if the Grizzlies are able to get that far.